The Press., 1887-09-15
LOCAL TOPICs-PENN,D AND sCIssoRED


 The Willimantic Journal has learned editor, and he is saying all sorts of Latin things about oysters, Talk United States. man How the deuce can we know what you mean And the topic is SO expressing.
 From the Chico (Cal.) Daily Enter. prse we get details of terrible occur renee as copied below, which has local interest, as Mir. Sessions, whom the sad misfortune befell, is native of Union, aud brother of the Misses Sessions, now living at Stafford Hollow, and whose faith CT was the late Col Moses O. Sessions, who went west several years ago, accom- panied by his son:
 "The terrible intelligence was brought to town this morning (Aug. 6) that the residence of Nj. O. Sessions, farmer at Cana, had been destroyed by fire and three little children had perished in the flames. This startling news was soon confirmed by Mir. Sessions, who came to town about ten o'clock, accompanied by Mir. Geo. Lyons, whose eldest son, Willie, was one of the unfortunate little ones who met their death in such manner. How the fire originated no one knows. MT. Sessions was awaken ed about one o'clock by the stihing smoke and flames, and started to rescue his fami- ly. There were about thirteen people ill the house, which was one-story frame. SIX of the children MT. Sessions got out at the risk of his life, but it was past all hu- man avail to reach the bedroom where the three children were sleeping, and the agonized parents were nearly crazed at the thought, and strong men had to hold them back to keep them from rushing into the doomed building, to @ certain death. The parents of the little ones are almost heart INroIr fhasw A1Nar timely death of their bright children. MT. Sessions children were Annie, aged six years, and Clarence, aged four years. Mir. Lyons little boy was playmate and com panion of the Sessions children, and had gone out yesterday evening to visit them.
 There were five children sleeping in the room, two of them belonging to MT. and Mrs. Lyons, but two managed to escape by the window, one being Ellen, the daughter of MT. and Mrs. Lyons, aged seven, and the other Lizzie, the daughter of MT. and Mrs. Sessions, aged eleven years. These girls say the ceiling was all in blaze when they woke up. Ellen Ly- ons tried to save her brother Willie, but he was sleeping soundly and was too heavy for her to lift When they got out on the porch the low shed roof was all on fire, and the children had to be pulled from under the falling embers, so that they also made narrow escape, even after getting out of the room"
 The bodies were recovered this morning, but could not be identified, only, if possi- ble, by the position in which they lay when put to bed. The remains were al- most entirely destroyed, the limbs were all burned of, the skulls brushed and bruised in. They were tenderly gathered up and placed in one small casket ready for burial.
 MT. Sessions and family lost everything they had, not an article of clothing or . scrap of furniture was saved. The barn, smoke house and all out-buildings, except the mems quarters, were burned. The loss will amount to about $4, 900 insured. Sympathy in this terrible afaiction can avail but little to the lacerated hearts, but to the bereaved parents, we can only con- mand them to Him who doeth all things for the best, knowing that the babes have gone from this world of sin and sorrow to better land.
 The same paper for Aug. 9th says:
 Yesterday afternoon the funeral of the unfortunate children who were burned on Saturday morning took place from the residence of Wm. Howard, on the ranch adjoining, and near to the ruins of the hap py home that had sheltered them, but which became their funeral pyre. MT. and Mrs. Sessions had no home from which to bury their loved ones, but sym pathizing friends gave them shelter. From far and near citizens gathered to offer their condolence to the bereaved parents, and never before has there been such a gather ing of people in this section. Rev. B. W. Kidwell officiated, and in feeling remarks sought to assnage the grief of the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters left be- hind. It was sad, sad funeral, and will long be remembered by those who wit messed it. Mr. and Mrs. Sessions and Mir. and Mrs. Lyons have the universal sympathy of the citizens in their great be- reavement"